Devotion

Symbol of Jesus: Friends - The Home of Mary and Martha

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10: 38 - 42.

Jesus didn't just teach about love and friendship—he lived it. Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus accepting invitations into people's homes, sharing meals, and building deep, genuine friendships. The home of Mary, Martha, and their brother Lazarus in Bethany was one such place—a place where Jesus was always welcome, where he could rest, and where true friendship flourished.

This beautiful account in Luke 10 gives us a window into what friendship with Jesus looks like. Martha welcomes Jesus into her home with generous hospitality. She busies herself with preparations, wanting everything to be perfect for her honoured guest. Meanwhile, her sister Mary simply sits at Jesus' feet, listening to his teaching.

When Martha complains about Mary's lack of help, Jesus responds with remarkable gentleness: "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better."

Jesus isn't criticising Martha's service or hospitality. Rather, he's revealing what true friendship with him requires: presence, not just productivity. Listening, not just doing. Being with him, not just working for him.

In our busy lives—filled with tasks, responsibilities, and endless to-do lists—this story speaks powerfully to us today. We can sometimes fall into the trap of being so busy doing things for Jesus that we forget to simply be with Jesus. We focus on the preparations, the activities, and miss the invitation to sit at his feet.

Jesus treasured these friendships in Bethany. John's Gospel tells us plainly: "Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus" (John 11:5). Their home was a refuge for him, a place of belonging and genuine relationship. And that's what Jesus offers us too—not just a list of rules to follow or tasks to complete, but friendship. Real, deep, transformative friendship.

The wonderful news is that Jesus still seeks friendship with us today. He still welcomes our hospitality, our service, our busy preparations—but most of all, he invites us to stop, to sit, to listen, to be present with him. In the quiet moments of prayer, in reading his word, in worship together, we choose "what is better"—we choose friendship with Jesus.

Dear Jesus, thank you for your friendship. Thank you that you don't just want our service, but our presence. Help us, like Mary, to choose what is better—to sit at your feet, to listen to your voice, to treasure our friendship with you above all the busy preparations of life. When we are worried and upset about many things, remind us that only one thing is needed: you. May our homes, our school, and our hearts always be places where you are welcomed and where true friendship with you can flourish. Amen.

Blessings!

Will Wallace

Principal